Brian Patrick McKinley's Blog, page 16
February 25, 2014
Kbatz: Buffy Season 5
Originally posted on horroraddicts.net:
More Goodness in Buffy Season 5
By Kristin Battestella
As if slayerage, college, and boyfriends weren’t bad enough, Buffy perhaps faces her toughest foe yet in 2000’s Season 5. No, it’s not Spike’s unrequited love or hellgod Glory’s might, but rather the horrors of a new little sister named Dawn.
February 24, 2014
Required Reading for Vampire Authors
They say that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, and you can certainly see plenty of imitation in the vampire genre. There are many forms of vampire novels now, from steamy paranormal romances to old-school bloody horror and so the would-be vampire author has a nearly unlimited supply of reading material to choose from. Chances are, it’s because you love reading certain authors and their takes on vampires that you want to write one yourself. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of 5 vampire novels that, in my opinion, represent the basic building blocks of each of the current types of popular vampire fiction.
Most of these are modern novels, so you won’t find Dracula on this list; it’s a fine novel for its time, but let’s face it, if you’re not familiar with the basics of the Dracula story from the various film adaptations and references, then you probably have no business writing about vampires. And, in case you’ve already read my pick or have a strong aversion to doing so, I’ve been kind enough to suggest an alternate novel for each that covers the same territory.
In no particular order, here they are:
The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice – How could I compile a list like this and not include the queen of modern vampire fiction? I couldn’t, so I put her first to get it out of the way. You may wonder why Lestat and not Interview, but Interview is a little slow in places and just doesn’t have the flow and characterization that Rice developed when she hit her stride. Louis may have set the model for the modern tragic, brooding vamp, but Lestat is the rock star vamp that has really captured reader imaginations the world over. Rice weaves a fascinating, tragic, triumphant, and compelling tale. No one does vivid, sprawling vampire biographies like Rice in her prime and this novel is still the benchmark any historical/biographical vampire novel should be measured against. Don’t settle for the imitations, read the original and see what created the modern vampire craze!
Honorable Mention: Pandora by Anne Rice. If you’re looking for a female-oriented biography filled with history and romance, then this later Vampire Chronicle by Rice may be what you’re looking for. A more leisurely paced novel than Lestat’s, it still delivers vivid characters, lush prose, and rich historical detail.
The Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice – Why would you read Lestat and not finish the story? With Lestat’s history out of the way, this sequel lets the Queen of Vampires take center stage, dragging Lestat around on a globe-spanning spree of destruction, ecstasy, and a glimpse into the very origins of their race. If Lestat was a bit light on the action, then this volume more than makes up for it. This remains the super-powered vampire showdown to end them all and Rice’s unique vampire mythology again set the standard for all that have followed. And, no, seeing the wretched movie version does not count!
Honorable Mention: They Thirst by Robert R. McCammon. This early novel by a horror master is part vampire epic and part disaster movie. As a vampire king takes control of Los Angeles, drawing vampires from all over America to him during a volcanic eruption! This rare novel deftly weaves police procedural, cinematic action, trills and chills to create a story that should have been adapted for film by now.
The Hunger by Whitley Streiber – For those who prefer their vampires a little more non-traditional, but with a little more scientific plausibility, Whitley Streiber’s subtle, creepy, bisexual Miriam Blaylock is the original vampire femme fatale. A disturbing and unique take on the vampire legend, Steiber’s creatures are a separate species rather than undead corpses, capable of the full range of emotion but a tragic flaw for those they choose to love. This is absolutely a vampire novel for adults, not because of any graphic content, but because the complex emotional territory Streiber journeys into is best appreciated by those who have lived and loved and lost. If you read this one years ago when you were young, I urge you to give it another pass and see if you don’t have a different reaction. This one also became a stylish 80s movie, but to really appreciate the emotional subtexts in the story, you really must read the novel.
Honorable Mention: The Vampire Tapestry by Susan McKee Charnas. This very unusual vampire tale presents a truly alien and unique vampire who may well be the last of his species. Far less romantic and more pragmatic than most vampires you’ll ever meet, this book presents a series of episodes in the life of the vampire Weyland. This one’s not for all tastes, but certainly one of the more unique takes on the vampire idea you’ll find.
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson – The grand-daddy of vampire apocalypse novels, and maybe even zombie 
apocalypse stories, this grim, slow burning novel bears no resemblance to the various movie adaptations that have been based on it (with the exception of Vincent Price’s The Last Man on Earth, which comes close). Some readers will find it slow, but the horror of the vampires in this novel lies in their numbers and relentlessness. Fans of The Walking Dead and similar fare will appreciate the bleak atmosphere, but what will truly surprise readers is the profound philosophical questions Matheson raises with masterful understatement.
Honorable Mention: ‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King. The master of modern horror gave us this wonderful modern vampire classic which is often described as “Dracula in a small Maine town.” While that description is accurate, this novel is so much more. Masterful characterization of people large and small makes the town of the title live and breathe. The setting is so vividly drawn and lovingly rendered that you almost don’t notice the absence of the undead for a large portion of the novel. Atmosphere and steadily building dread replace King’s usual shock and awe in this early masterpiece. Those who like their vampires monstrous and traditional need to take a lesson.
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, but Grave Peril if you have to pick just one - Okay, you’re saying, but what about us Urban Fantasy writers? Jim Butcher has created a fully-realized and consistent fantasy world composed of everything you’ve ever heard of in a fairytale or mythology book. The thing to read Butcher for is how approachable and sensible he makes the fantastic seem. By having a solid foundation to build on and working to keep the rules clear, his wizard Harry Dresden strikes a crucial balance between being powerful enough to handle the ever-escalating threats he encounters while never becoming so chock full of powers that he ceases to be interesting. Who Harry Dresden is matters much more than the nifty spells he can cast and the restrictions he places upon himself elevate him to a combination of Phillip Marlowe and Harry Potter. The reason this series fits this list, of course, is because Butcher’s clever approach to vampires having different “courts” each with distinct powers and weaknesses allows him to get mileage out of all the various vampire archetypes. The fact that the series has sustained fourteen novels so far with no decrease in quality or sales also proves that Mr. Butcher is doing something right and that’s always worth studying.
Honorable Mention: Guilty Pleasures by Laurel K. Hamilton. Not only was it one of the first such series to hit the bestseller lists, but its heroine Anita Blake remains one of the seminal ass-kicking heroines in fantasy literature. In the last few years, the series has sadly degenerated into Mary Sue wish-fulfillment and plotless erotica, but back when she was on her game, nobody did this kind of monster-mash Urban Fantasy better than Hamilton. The first eight novels are well worth the read for any aspiring author looking to dip into that well. Characterization was key in these early novels along with a strong voice and gritty realism that balanced the fantastic elements. For those who have already begun their series, it might be worth reading through the Anita Blake series to decide for yourself where it “jumps the shark” or even if it does. You can learn as much from other people’s failings as you can from their successes.
Well, there you are. If you look over the list and you’ve read them all, then good for you! Still, some of these deserve a second reading with a critical eye, especially if you’re planning to write something in that vein. C’mon, how could I resist at least one vampire pun on a subject like this?
Have a bone to pick with some of my recommendations? Did I leave a masterpiece off the list? Let me know in the comments below!
February 22, 2014
Ancient Blood: Vampyrs vs. Vampires
Ancient Blood: Vampyrs vs. Vampires
Check out my take on vampires and my reasons for creating the Vampyr on Vamped.org!
February 21, 2014
5 Vampire Novels That Need To Be Movies!
Originally posted on Vampires.com
THEY THIRST by Robert McCammon
This fantastic novel features a vampire who literally takes over the city of Los Angeles! A dedicated cop starts out hunting a vicious serial killer and winds up fighting his way through a city where the undead are rampaging through the streets. Imagine 30 Days of Night or I Am Legend with vampires that actually have personality! This could be a horror/action fan’s dream movie and nowadays it probably wouldn’t even be that expensive to make!
THE VAMPIRE LESTAT by Anne Rice
This one is probably on the list of every vampire fan out there. Discounting the abomination that was The Queen of the Damned, this is a story that has never been put to film and would be wonderful. Just imagine the sweeping historical epic of this novel translated to the screen. In my opinion, this book was Rice’s masterpiece: a novel that combined rich historical detail with intense character building and a scale that really did justice to the idea of vampire immortality. Casting would be critical, of course, but there are so many great potential actors out there who are probably fans of this novel and so many wonderful characters within this novel. I really don’t understand why this hasn’t happened yet, since it seems like a no-brainer.
DHAMPIR by Barb and J.C. Hendee
The first in the Noble Dead series could likewise make a fabulous first installment in a movie series or even a stand-alone film. The story of a Dhampir who doesn’t know where she came from, a renegade elf who won’t speak about his past, and a large and oddly-intelligent wolf-dog who con villagers out of gold by “slaying” vampires has all the elements. The characters are strong, the fantasy world is familiar but still unique, and the plot hits all the right notes for an action-fantasy in the vein of Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters without being campy.
ANNO-DRACULA by Kim Newman
An alternate universe where Dracula’s plan to move into London proved a rousing success and vampires are now all the rage in Victorian England has such terrific potential, it’s another instance where I can’t imagine why Hollywood hasn’t done it yet. Sure, the novel itself is complex and features dozens of clever literary references to characters from the age, but none of that is critical to the plot. The central plot is an investigation into Jack the Ripper who seems to prey on vampire prostitutes and you can’t ask for a juicier prospect than that, especially when old friends like Dr. Seward and Lord Arthur Holmwood are among the participants in the investigation. In truth, this would really benefit from the mini-series treatment, but if it were announced as a movie, I’d still be there opening night.
ANCIENT BLOOD by Brian Patrick McKinley
Seriously, my book would make an awesome movie! Okay, fine, here’s the actual fifth choice…
THE VAMPYRE by John Polidori
This would be a tough one, but it could be really worth the attempt. The original story is rather depressing as the narrator watches impotently while the vampire Lord Ruthven quietly make his way through his family and social peers. Still, played properly, this could provide nail-biting suspense. Think of Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train as an example of how to do this story well. Play up the narrator’s sense of honor and personal integrity and keep the period setting, which makes it unthinkable for him to break his sworn oath regardless of the extreme circumstances. Also, who will believe such a wild tale? Play Ruthven for the clever sadist that he is, toying with the narrator and giving him opportunities to stop him all while knowing that he can’t. Whether the story plays out to its tragic ending is a decision for the director, though it might not be unreasonable to allow a more triumphant ending in which the narrator saves his sister and kills Ruthven. Either way, in the hands of a good director, this could be a nice creepy tale full of suspense and atmosphere.
February 20, 2014
Kbatz: Buffy Season 4
Originally posted on horroraddicts.net:
I Really Like Buffy Season 4
By Kristin Battestella
Despite some of my uneven misgivings on Buffy The Vampire Slayer’s third season; for the most part, Year 4 twists the pains of college, Scooby dissention, and monster military corruptions just right.
February 19, 2014
Just a girl living alone
The always entertaining Amy Mah.
Originally posted on Metatron:
Just a girl living alone
From 4.bp.blogspot.comJust what is going on? Just because I am a girl living alone the world wants to play it funny with me …..so not a good idea
First I get adverts for sex toys from Wowcher and now today I am sent a discount voucher
a discount voucher for zero % is not a discount voucher it is an ADVERT !
£220.00 discount 0% ends 15/12 location
National £220.00 Click Here
Sharp 22″ HD Ready TV, Black glass & Aluminium shelf 2x HDMI cables
I am a private person and I have an attitude to match, If I don’t know you then don’t knock on my door unless you want to get bitten!
Why do people think I joke when I warn them that I have watched enough horror movies to know how to get rid of dead bodies.
For a difference today I am getting phone call from India saying we have heard about your accident……..
……. er what accident I say plus a few other comments and then they hang up ………….
(1). I am ex-directory and like how did they reach me let alone threaten me with future accidents …………… stick to the old traditional stuff like having a horse head in your bed ……….
And my bed does have a horse head sleeping in it already …..heheheh ………….. don’t understand? ……..well go buy my first vampire novel, besides I can’t help your lack of education.
How dare they hang up on me!
(2). perhaps they did not like the Chinese Asian accent I use when answering unknown phone calls …………… well he could not have taken offence with what I called him unless he was white and could understand Cantonese.
From 1.bp.blogspot.comwww.fangsrule.com
From 4.bp.blogspot.comA self help guide by Amy Mah (Vampire) for teenage vampire girls, the guide is fully illustrated by manga Artist Heby and is written in an easy to follow A – Z format explaining everything a teenage vampire girl would need to know about living life as a modern Vampire. What is fashionable to wear when eating out? Fang maintenance & how to keep your claws sharp. Should you let a boy bite you on the first date? Easy to understand clear advice is given to every day problems Example: When you get an urge to bite: We all get those normal urges to bite things, and I must point out it is very normal, Claws are all well and good in a fight but a bite gives the extra advantage of getting a refreshing drink at the same time. Lots of girls worry about showing their Fangs in public believing that to show your fangs is rude, but don’t be shy they can be a girls greatest asset (ok second greatest asset) if a boy is being rude to you, don’t just snarl at him, just bite him! You are a vampire why do you think you have sharp teeth if not for sinking them into a boy that is being rude to you.
From 3.bp.blogspot.comToday’s world is difficult for everyone, especially teenagers. They face the stresses of school, deciding whom to date, and the biggie of sex, just to name a few. Imagine all of those things ten times worse, and you might get an idea of what it’s like being a living, breathing teenage vampire. At last, the world can read about the life of a girl with good teeth, her problems with strong sunlight that gave her spots, and the sunblock that made her hair go yucky and produced more spots. Yes, sunlight was dangerous, as she could be the first teenager in history to die from terminal acne! In her everyday life, older vampires expected her to walk about at night in the traditional female uniform, a see-through, 18th-century nightdress, without undies! Well, this female vampire knew why the cold winds blowing along the corridors were called, “male winds,” so she wore her see-through nightdress over jeans and a very thick jumper. To be sure that people would still know she was a vampire, the jumper had a very large, pink bat on it. And as to guys, well, it was normal for a girl to dream about guys; she just wished the dreams could have involved chocolates and holding hands, not leaping out at someone, ripping off his shirt, and demanding to know what blood type he was (at least not on the first date).
February 18, 2014
Horror-friendly Valentines Song Dedications
This is a nice list of Vampire-themed love songs.
Originally posted on horroraddicts.net:
Are you addicts dreading the big heart day or are you welcoming it with open arms? Are you dreaming of that dark-clad beauty or are you currently in the arms of said goddess? Are you hoping for a quick fling or staying the hell away from all that lovey-dovey crap?
Well, here are some horror-friendly Valentines Songs to dedicate to your love, your ex, or that leather-clad hotty you happen to meet on the blessed day.
“This Love” by Pantera
Does your love hurt?
“So Close It Hurts” from the SUCK movie soundtrack
I almost killed you last night… Whoops!
February 17, 2014
Ancient Blood: A Study in Archetypes
Check out my cool article from VAMPED.ORG where I discuss the archetypal inspirations for my Ancient Blood characters!
http://vamped.org/books/ancient-blood-a-study-in-archetypes/
February 16, 2014
Interview with Danielle DeVor
Oh, I’ve probably always been writing something. When I was young, I wrote mostly poetry.
Which story did you contribute to Fresh Blood and what made you want to write that story?
The Case. I wanted to do something unique with vampires, and I think I managed.
What other work have you done?
I have three novels out right now. Tail of the Devil- which deals with vampires, Constructing Marcus- which is a YA Paranormal Romance, and Sorrow’s Point- which is an exorcism tale.
4. What is it about vampires that makes you want to write about them?
I’ve always loved vampires. I don’t know if it is the fact that they truly could live forever, or their powers exactly, but I have always been fascinated by them.
What other interests do you have and how do they influence your writing?
I watch a lot of horror films, I read (of course), I crochet, and I teach people how to fit pointe shoes. Out of everything, my love of horror films probably influences my writing the most.
Give us some links where we can find your other work (if available):
Tail of the Devil http://amzn.com/B00CJHO7D8
Constructing Marcus http://amzn.com/B00EVS384W
Sorrow’s Point http://amzn.com/B00FO83JLK
Find Fresh Blood: Vampire Writers Support Group Anthology #1 on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Blood-Vampire-Writers-Support-ebook/dp/B00FYEJDPA
